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Original poster

Half marathon

20 replies

Annoyedandirritated · 23/05/2022 19:24

Recently completed my first 10k and have signed up for a half marathon 🙈 Is this achievable for a fairy new runner? 😬 it’s not for another 5 months yet.

What kind of training do people do for this kind of
distance?

OP posts:

HipsterCoffeeShop · 23/05/2022 19:28

A 10k is the perfect start to half marathon training - congrats!

There's loads of training plans out there, pick a beginner's one and you'll be away.

Most are 12 weeks long but that's fine - it's better to take a bit more time and add a few easy weeks when you need to.

Cornishmumofone · 23/05/2022 19:28

You've got 20 weeks to add on 11.1km so it's very doable. There are loads of half marathon training plans online, or if you've a Garmin you may have a model that includes training plans. Alternatively, you could aim for a hills session, an interval session and a long run each week. Increase the long run by 0.5km a week.

Original poster

Annoyedandirritated · 23/05/2022 19:33

Oh fab thank you, I will google training plans too 😊

OP posts:

Smartsub · 23/05/2022 19:39

Yes, if you can don10k your can train well for HM in 5 months.

How many runs are you doing currently.

As a relative beginner I'd suggest 2 x 1 hour steady runs, 1 x fast park run and a long run each week.

Build up the long runs by adding a mile a week. Every 3 weeks drop back 2 miles. Do these long runs very slowly or you'll be too tired to train properly in the week.

Practice what you will eat and drink on race day.

Enjoy!

Forestcantrun · 23/05/2022 19:59

You'll boss a half when you've a 10k under your belt! There's a 12 week programme online, I think Runners World wrote it. I find it very helpful.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 23/05/2022 20:53

Easily!
Had a look at the runners world beginners plans I find them very good and very realistic

florenceandthemac · 23/05/2022 20:58

I followed the BUPA half marathon programme

Original poster

Annoyedandirritated · 23/05/2022 21:34

Thank you everyone for the advice I will check out all suggestions 👍

OP posts:

FusionChefGeoff · 23/05/2022 21:59

The only thing I'd add is maybe do a leg strength training session once a week if you can to help protect against injury and perhaps put in a couple of sports massages to help keep everything ticking over. I'd prioritise this over running miles and miles every week if I'm honest.

For me 2 x 5-6 miles and 1 long run a week are enough to build to half marathon distance. If you're not fussed about speed.

Original poster

Annoyedandirritated · 23/05/2022 22:08

I’m defo not bothered about speed, I do strength training and weights twice a week anyway so am hoping that will help with endurance too

OP posts:

User65412 · 23/05/2022 22:12

Well done! You'll be amazed at what you can do. I'm not a runner and did one after running 3 x a week for 9 months. 2 were shorter and one longer. I only did 10 miles once before the day as I had an injury.
I did do leg strength training regularly and had done for years before doing it, and played sport regularly. I did it in 2 hours and was completely shocked!

AuntieStella · 23/05/2022 22:15

My own very idiosyncratic view is that the hardest steps in running distances are:

0 - 5k, because getting going at all is a major challenge
half - full marathon, because you really hit the bodily impacts
5 - 10k, because that's often the first 'doubling' and is therefore daunting, but that's often a psychological barrier rather than a physical one
10k - half, because although it's a physical step up it's not that bad

Get a training plan you like the look of (I like the ones that go with time on your feet, rather than specifying mileage - but there are oodles out there, just find one that appeals to you) and go for it.

5 months is plenty of time. It means you don't have to train too hard in the likely hottest months, and will also have time for a little taper

Flangeosaurus · 23/05/2022 22:24

Do think about what you’re eating the day before as well. I find I need quite a carb heavy day the day before otherwise I’m absolutely starving halfway through!

Redouble · 28/05/2022 07:28

Half marathon is my favourite distance to train for!

If you can do 10k then you can definitely do a half :) you've done the hardest bit.

My weekly training plan:
1x 8-10km run with 2k of hill reps
1x long run (add 1 mile each week)
1x Saturday 5k Parkrun, as fast as I could go

Usually I like to build to 14 or 15 miles two weeks prior to race day, then taper down, and I usually end the race feeling good and not needing recovery as such - a very very gentle 3km run the day after seems to massively help any aches, too.

And I agree with fuelling well - experiment with carbs/protein and drink loads of water the few days leading up to race day.

You'll love it!!

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 28/05/2022 21:57

Ooh am hopping on this thread as i am doing my first half marathon in september.
Ive got a 10 mile run at the end of June so hoping that will stand me in good stead :)
Keep us posted how the training is going @Annoyedandirritated

pitterypattery00 · 28/05/2022 22:12

About 10 years ago I did my one and only half marathon!

You've plenty of time - I went from being able to do 10k max (as in I really couldn't run another step) to half marathon in about 3 months. For training, I did one long run a week with a few work friends (we had entered race together), increasing the distance by about 10% each time. Our longest training run was a bit less than a half marathon.We didn't care about times, just plodded along. I couldn't have done it without them - wouldn't have had the motivation. In between those long runs I did one or two shorter ones by myself of about 30 mins or so. That's it. I know some people do a lot more but honestly I couldn't have been bothered, and had enough other things going on in my life.

I completed race in just under 2hrs 20min (my previous 10k time was about 60-65 mins). I was happy with that. After the race I had no muscle pain whatsoever so I felt like my body must have felt well prepared!

Good luck!

Runningnewbie · 29/05/2022 19:51

I have downloaded an app to track my training and am aiming for 3 runs per week with strength training and yoga in addition.

i had a few drinks last night though and feel sluggish and have eaten badly today so I might knock the booze on the head after jubilee weekend for a few weeks and see if that helps with my training

is anyone else training for a half? Would be good to keep each other motivated

Runningnewbie · 02/06/2022 09:59

@GentlyGentlyOhDear what training are
you doing?

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 03/06/2022 16:02

Hello @Runningnewbie
Am currently doing two shortish 5k runs a week, as fast as i can, and one longer 10-15k run. Ive got a 10 mile race on the 26 June to get through and then ill try to step up my long run to 12ish miles over July and August. Half marathon is around the 12 September.
How are you getting on?
Im going to order myself some shokz headphones as the longer runs are boring on my own! Ive got a running buddy but shes been on holiday for a fortnight so ive really felt it on my own! Normal esr buds just do not fit me at all!

Runningnewbie · 06/06/2022 18:55

@GentlyGentlyOhDear 1week into my training and my backs gone 😳 so I can’t do anything whilst I rest! I’m so frustrated!

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